The obese brain may thwart weight loss
[ | E-mail |
Contact: Maggie Barrett
barrett@american.edu
202-885-5951
American University
New research indicates obesity resulting from high-fat, high-sugar foods may impair brain, fuel overeating
"Betcha can't eat just one!" For obese people trying to lose weight, the Lays potato chip advertising slogan hits a bit too close to home as it describes the daily battle to resist high calorie foods.
But new research by Terry Davidson, director of American University's Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, indicates that diets that lead to obesitydiets high in saturated fat and refined sugarmay cause changes to the brains of obese people that in turn may fuel overconsumption of those same foods and make weight loss more challenging.
"It is a vicious cycle that may explain why obesity is so difficult to overcome," said Davidson, also a professor of psychology at AU.
Davidson recently published his research, "The Effects of a High-Energy Diet on Hippocampal-Dependent Discrimination Performance and Blood-Brain Barrier Integrity Differ for Diet-Induced Obese and Diet-Resistant Rats," in the journal Physiology & Behavior.
Fat Rats Suffer Memory Impairment, Damage to Brain's Armor
Davidson, formerly with Purdue University, focuses his research on the hippocampusthe part of the brain responsible for memory and learning.
For this study, Davidson and his team trained rats given restricted access to low-fat "lab chow" on two problemsone that tested the rats' hippocampal-dependent learning and memory abilities and one that did not. Once the training phase completed, the rats were split into two groups: one group had unlimited access to the low-fat lab chow, while the other had unlimited access to high-energy (high-fat/calorie) food.
The high-energy food was high in saturated fat (animal fats, such as those found in cheese or meat or certain plant-based fats, such as cottonseed oil and coconut oil)considered to be the most unhealthful dietary fat as research has linked it to cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancer.
When both groups of rats were presented the problems again, the rats that became obese from the high-energy diet performed much more poorly than the non-obese rats did on the problem designed to test hippocampal-dependent learning and memory. They tested the same as the non-obese rats on the other problem.
When the researchers later examined all of the rats' blood-brain barriers (if the brain were an exclusive nightclub, the blood-brain barriera tight network of blood vessels protecting the brainwould be the bouncer at the door carefully policing who gets in), they found that the obese rats' blood-brain barriers had become impaired as they allowed a much larger amount of a dye that does not freely cross the blood-brain barrier into the hippocampus than did blood-brain barriers of the non-obese rats (the dye was administered to all of the rats).
Interestingly, the non-obese rats group included rats from both the low-fat lab chow group and the high-energy diet group. But this isn't a matter of some rats having a super-high metabolism that allowed them eat to large amounts of the high-energy food and remain a reasonable weight.
"The rats without blood-brain barrier and memory impairment also ate less of the high-energy diet than did our impaired rats," Davidson said. "Some rats and some people have a lower preference for high-energy diets. Our results suggest that whatever allows them to eat less and keep the pounds off also helps to keep their brains cognitively healthy."
A Vicious Cycle
The hippocampus is also responsible for suppressing memories. If Davidson's findings apply to people, it could be that a diet high in saturated fat and refined sugar impacts the hippocampus's ability to suppress unwanted thoughtssuch as those about high-calorie foods, making it more likely that an obese person will consume those foods and not be able to stop at what would be considered a reasonable serving.
"What I think is happening is a vicious cycle of obesity and cognitive decline," Davidson said. "The idea is, you eat the high fat/high calorie diet and it causes you to overeat because this inhibitory system is progressively getting fouled up. And unfortunately, this inhibitory system is also for remembering things and suppressing other kinds of thought interference."
Davidson's findings are compatible with other studies finding a link between human obesity in middle age and an increased likelihood of developing Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive dementias later in life.
"We are trying to figure out that link," Davidson said. "We have compelling evidence that overconsumption of a high fat diet damages or alters the blood-brain barrier. Now we are interested in the fact that substances that are not supposed to get to the brain are getting to it because of this breakdown. You start throwing things into the brain that don't belong there, and it makes sense that brain function would be affected."
A Lifelong Battle
As evidenced by contestants of NBC's reality show "The Biggest Loser," formerly obese celebrities who undergo gastric by-pass surgery, and other numerous examples of extreme weight loss, it is possible for obese people to win the battle of the bulge. Unfortunately, the attempt to keep it off is, more often than not, a lifelong battle that requires permanent lifestyle changes. Davidson says this could be due in part to permanent changes in the brain.
"I do think it [the damage] becomes permanent, but I don't know at what point it becomes permanent," Davidson said. "Other research has found that obese people and formerly obese people have weaker hippocampal activity when consuming food than do people who have never been obese. Just because you lose the weight doesn't mean you regain the brain function. This could help explain why it is so difficult for formerly obese people to keep the weight off."
###
?
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
[ | E-mail |
Contact: Maggie Barrett
barrett@american.edu
202-885-5951
American University
New research indicates obesity resulting from high-fat, high-sugar foods may impair brain, fuel overeating
"Betcha can't eat just one!" For obese people trying to lose weight, the Lays potato chip advertising slogan hits a bit too close to home as it describes the daily battle to resist high calorie foods.
But new research by Terry Davidson, director of American University's Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, indicates that diets that lead to obesitydiets high in saturated fat and refined sugarmay cause changes to the brains of obese people that in turn may fuel overconsumption of those same foods and make weight loss more challenging.
"It is a vicious cycle that may explain why obesity is so difficult to overcome," said Davidson, also a professor of psychology at AU.
Davidson recently published his research, "The Effects of a High-Energy Diet on Hippocampal-Dependent Discrimination Performance and Blood-Brain Barrier Integrity Differ for Diet-Induced Obese and Diet-Resistant Rats," in the journal Physiology & Behavior.
Fat Rats Suffer Memory Impairment, Damage to Brain's Armor
Davidson, formerly with Purdue University, focuses his research on the hippocampusthe part of the brain responsible for memory and learning.
For this study, Davidson and his team trained rats given restricted access to low-fat "lab chow" on two problemsone that tested the rats' hippocampal-dependent learning and memory abilities and one that did not. Once the training phase completed, the rats were split into two groups: one group had unlimited access to the low-fat lab chow, while the other had unlimited access to high-energy (high-fat/calorie) food.
The high-energy food was high in saturated fat (animal fats, such as those found in cheese or meat or certain plant-based fats, such as cottonseed oil and coconut oil)considered to be the most unhealthful dietary fat as research has linked it to cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancer.
When both groups of rats were presented the problems again, the rats that became obese from the high-energy diet performed much more poorly than the non-obese rats did on the problem designed to test hippocampal-dependent learning and memory. They tested the same as the non-obese rats on the other problem.
When the researchers later examined all of the rats' blood-brain barriers (if the brain were an exclusive nightclub, the blood-brain barriera tight network of blood vessels protecting the brainwould be the bouncer at the door carefully policing who gets in), they found that the obese rats' blood-brain barriers had become impaired as they allowed a much larger amount of a dye that does not freely cross the blood-brain barrier into the hippocampus than did blood-brain barriers of the non-obese rats (the dye was administered to all of the rats).
Interestingly, the non-obese rats group included rats from both the low-fat lab chow group and the high-energy diet group. But this isn't a matter of some rats having a super-high metabolism that allowed them eat to large amounts of the high-energy food and remain a reasonable weight.
"The rats without blood-brain barrier and memory impairment also ate less of the high-energy diet than did our impaired rats," Davidson said. "Some rats and some people have a lower preference for high-energy diets. Our results suggest that whatever allows them to eat less and keep the pounds off also helps to keep their brains cognitively healthy."
A Vicious Cycle
The hippocampus is also responsible for suppressing memories. If Davidson's findings apply to people, it could be that a diet high in saturated fat and refined sugar impacts the hippocampus's ability to suppress unwanted thoughtssuch as those about high-calorie foods, making it more likely that an obese person will consume those foods and not be able to stop at what would be considered a reasonable serving.
"What I think is happening is a vicious cycle of obesity and cognitive decline," Davidson said. "The idea is, you eat the high fat/high calorie diet and it causes you to overeat because this inhibitory system is progressively getting fouled up. And unfortunately, this inhibitory system is also for remembering things and suppressing other kinds of thought interference."
Davidson's findings are compatible with other studies finding a link between human obesity in middle age and an increased likelihood of developing Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive dementias later in life.
"We are trying to figure out that link," Davidson said. "We have compelling evidence that overconsumption of a high fat diet damages or alters the blood-brain barrier. Now we are interested in the fact that substances that are not supposed to get to the brain are getting to it because of this breakdown. You start throwing things into the brain that don't belong there, and it makes sense that brain function would be affected."
A Lifelong Battle
As evidenced by contestants of NBC's reality show "The Biggest Loser," formerly obese celebrities who undergo gastric by-pass surgery, and other numerous examples of extreme weight loss, it is possible for obese people to win the battle of the bulge. Unfortunately, the attempt to keep it off is, more often than not, a lifelong battle that requires permanent lifestyle changes. Davidson says this could be due in part to permanent changes in the brain.
"I do think it [the damage] becomes permanent, but I don't know at what point it becomes permanent," Davidson said. "Other research has found that obese people and formerly obese people have weaker hippocampal activity when consuming food than do people who have never been obese. Just because you lose the weight doesn't mean you regain the brain function. This could help explain why it is so difficult for formerly obese people to keep the weight off."
###
?
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-10/au-tob100112.php
tornadoes in dallas anchorman 2 kentucky basketball oaksterdam the fray national anthem dallas tornado ncaa basketball
15 Eleventh Avenue, Southern Shores
R Lawson Construction Co.
Or advantages of yoga that? s using the world by storm nowadays. And, despite the fact that services many people will not notice a difference within their actual take care of most normal physician visits along with other common medical situations, there will be a period when they think the main difference. But fixing the issue is modern- day than simply only guess virtually like properly figuring out a injuries or illness before giving treatment. Mediterranean Meals Health Advantages This lens shows how come Mediterranean meals suggested a lot by nutrition experts, doctors along with other health experts and why must people you should consider including it to their daily routine. Nutrition stores will also be an excellent spot to pick all kinds of things that will help you complete your existence making it more healthy. Don? t worry though most newcomer know precisely what they? ll need, that? s except for one stamps factor, their own health insurance. You? ll have the ability to chance on particular grandeur mathematical product* as if creams, aromatises, goops, compensate and much more. Candidates should be signed up for a graduate mental health counseling program, possess a 3. EHR This type of setup is typical, Electronic Health Record Software and risks HIPAA breach if local machines housing PHI ( including data backup products) are lost, stolen, or jeopardized. Food Share Makes 2011 Health Champion Award Ventura County, Calif.) ? FOOD Share, Ventura County? s only regional food bank, was lately granted this year? s Health Champion Award with a LEAN VC, a partnership between Ventura County Public Health insurance and system other various community organizations and people. The 3rd method in which a skylight tunnel affects you is in the actual infirmary health system wallet. Dogs are just like humans meaning that meals taken figure out how they live. Before searching for an estimate infirmary for health guarantee, make certain that you simply obtain all of the condition aid that exist for the family as well as for you. Therefore, the body fat within the greasy meals will establish inside your liver and gallbladder, and you? ll get gall stones, that are very small but very painful. without facing bees stamps health services attack to see any attacks affects you body. health Getting Gulf of mexico on one for reds and also the Caribbean Ocean alternatively, the nation offers wealthy bio- diversity ? jungle rivers, thick tropical rain forests, colorful tropical reefs and miles of pristine beaches. Even today, silver metal has been used like a supply of alternative treatment. Knowing negative attitude, alternation in eating routine and prolonged sadness would be the instant signs and symptoms of depressive disorderNegative feelings and sadness would be the fundamental seed products health of depression at its initial phases. In case your hard disk drive crashes, you? ll be able to wage that work ought arrive at a squealing halt. Obtaining the Right Temporary Coverage Of Health Not having coverage of infirmary health system health is harmful, however youthful and healthy you might be.